title: [Current treatment of systemic sclerosis. Part I. Immunosuppressive treatment].
abstract: Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) has a complex pathogenesis. Thus, management of systemic sclerosis remains a challenge. Currently, treatment in systemic sclerosis is targeted at reducing 1) abnormal immune activation, 2) microvascular abnormalities and 3) fibrosis. Therapy should be adjusted individually, depending on disease subtype and activity. Immunosuppressive agents, such as cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil and occasionally methotrexate or cyclosporine A are indicated in rapidly progressing systemic sclerosis. Low or moderate doses of corticosteroids may be used in patients with musculoskeletal involvement. Reports of effective biological therapy with rituximab or infliximab are available. In cases of rapidly progressing systemic sclerosis high dose immunosuppressive or cytostatic agents with subsequent autologous bone marrow transplantation may be indicated. Novel therapies have the potential of significantly modifying disease process and improving overall clinical outcome in patients with systemic sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Centralny Szpital Kliniczny MSWiA w Warszawie, Klinika Dermatologii. justyna.sicinska@cskmswia.pl
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sicińska
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rudnicka
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054697:Cytostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D054697:Cytostatic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D008727:Methotrexate